Update Nexus 4 E960 to Android 4.4.2 KitKat via Official Carbon Build

The official Carbon KitKat nightlies, featuring Android Open Source Project, adds support for Google's fourth Nexus smartphone codenamed Mako (E960).

The Carbon nightlies, which are said to be a fast and stable version of custom firmware, integrates several custom features. Using the latest release by Team Carbon, the Nexus 4 can be updated to Android 4.4.2 KitKat.

Those who wish to upgrade their Nexus 4 with official Carbon ROM based on Android 4.4.2 may follow our step-by-step guide.

IBTimes UK reminds its readers that it will not be held liable for any mishap. Users are also advised to ensure that their devices meet following requirements.

Pre-requisites

1) Install USB Drivers for Nexus 4 to transfer files between the Android device and the computer.

2) Enable USB Debugging Mode on the phone to connect it with the computer and use Android SDK with it. [Navigate to Settings>> About phone. Tap on Build Number several times until a message appears saying 'You are now a Developer.' Now enable USB Debugging Mode by navigating to Settings>> Developer Options.]

3) As the tutorial might wipe all data of the phone, create backup. If the device is having any custom recovery such as ClockworkMod or, TWRP then backup data using the same.

4) If the Android phone powers off due to lack of battery during the process, it could damage the device. Therefore, the Nexus 4 should have charge above 80% battery charge.

5) The phone should be rooted and have ClockworkMod or, TWRP recovery installed. Ensure latest version of recovery installed on the phone, or else you will not be able to flash KitKat ROMs.

6) The Carbon nightly build works only with Nexus 4 E960. As applying this to any incorrect variant might brick the device, verify the model number of Nexus 4 by navigating to Settings>> About device>> Model number.

7) After flashing the ROM if the device gets stuck on Booting animation or experience boot loop then perform wipe cache partition and wipe dalvik cache five more times before rebooting the device.

8) Once the ROM is installed, users are advised to give 10 minutes to the ROM after the device boots up for the first time for a better user experience.

Download files

Carbon 4.4.2 KitKat nightly ROM [File name: CARBON-KK-NIGHTLY-20140209-0406-mako.zip] [Alternative link]

Gapps file

How to install Android 4.4.2 KitKat on Nexus 4 with Carbon nightly build

Step-1: Connect the Nexus 4 to the computer using USB cable. Then transfer both the downloaded zip files to the internal storage of the phone. But do not extract any file

Step-2: Disconnect the phone from the computer and then switch it off

Step-3: Now boot the phone into recovery mode. Press and hold Volume Up, Volume Down and Power buttons together. Release the buttons when Bootloader/ Fastboot mode menu appears. You should see the Start on the screen. Now press the Volume Up or Down button until the Start text changes to Recovery Mode. Press the Power button to boot into Recovery Mode

Step-4: Perform a Nandroid backup of the existing ROM which can be restored later if the new ROM does not work or users wish to go back to the previous ROM.

CWM: Select backup and restore, name the file and complete the backup. Go back to main recovery menu after the backup is completed

TWRP: Press Backup then give a name for the file. Swipe to create the backup file

Step-5: Perform a Factory Reset.

CWM: Select wipe data/factory reset and confirm the action

TWRP: Press Wipe then do a swipe to confirm the factory reset

Step-6: Install the Carbon 4.4.2 KitKat build

CWM: Select install zip from sdcard then select choose zip from sdcard. Now browse to the location where the Carbon ROM zip is saved. Select it and confirm installation

TWRP: Press Install then navigate to the place where the ROM file is saved. Do a swipe to confirm installation

Step-7: Once the ROM is installed, follow the same procedure to install Gapps file

Step-10: When the installation process is done, go back to the main recovery menu and reboot the phone to normal mode. The phone will reboot now and boot up into the customised Carbon ROM.

The first boot process will take a few minutes to complete, therefore, do no press and buttons until the home screen appears.

Enter the Google Account info and take control over the device when all files are loaded.

Carbon nightly build featuring Android 4.4.2 should now be installed and running on the phone. Verify the new firmware on the Nexus 4 by navigating to Settings>> About phone.

[Source: Android Geeks]